New Delhi: Manchester United have acted quickly in naming Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim as the successor to former manager Erik Ten Hag. The former Portuguese international has signed on the dotted lines for the next three years, signing a contract until June 2027. While reports were circling around the club trying hard to get the 39-year-old to be in charge of the upcoming game against Chelsea, it’s now been that won’t be happening.
Following Ten Hag’s sacking as Manchester United boss, assistant manager and club legend Ruud Van Nistelrooy was named as the interim manager of the club till they found a permanent successor. Nistelrooy’s side impressed in his managerial debut with the club as they blew-away Premier League outfit Leicester City 5-2 in their EFL Cup Round of 16 clash earlier in the week.
The Dutchman is set to remain in charge of the first team till Amorim officially arrives at the Carrington and will be the one managing against Chelsea on Sunday night. Over in Portugal, Amorim has become a household name in Lisbon after guiding the club to their first league title in 19 years and following that up with another league title last season. He is massively loved by the club’s fans and that is why he didn’t want a swift exit from the club, so as not to leave them high and dry.
When will Ruben Amorim take charge at Manchester United?
Manchester United paid Sporting Lisbon €10 million to buy out Amorim’s contract at Sporting but the manager had a 30-day notice period that he needed to serve before leaving. The club even offered Manchester United a chance to get him immediately for an additional €5 million but the club decided against that option. Instead, the Red Devils paid an additional €1 million to the Portuguese side to reduce Amorim’s notice.
The 39-year-old will now join Manchester United on November 11, 2024 and the club’s game against Ipswich Town on November 24, 2024 will be his first official game as Manchester United head coach. Amorim will join the club just before the last international break of the year, which will give him an extended break to help settle in with the new squad before being thrusted into the hustle bustle of the regular Premier League season.
Amorim will take most of his backroom staff along with him to Manchester United with first-team coaches Emanuel Ferro, Adelio Candido, and Carlos Fernandes, goalkeeping coach Jorge Vital and sports scientist Paulo Barreira all joining him in Manchester. He will see off his fantastic spell as Sporting manager with games against Estrela da Amadora, his last Liga Portugal game before bowing out from the role with a UEFA Champions League final clash against Manchester City.
